Human Resources Specialist Internships
Human resources specialist internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience in recruiting, employee relations, and HR operations, mentorship from working HR practitioners, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Openings today cover Manufacturing, Food & Beverage, and Consulting & Professional Services, with Yanfeng, FedEx, and Frontier Airlines among the employers posting roles now.
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Our story began 75 years ago when the Herschend family discovered wonder deep in an Ozark Mountain cave—and chose to share it with the world. Today, Herschend is the largest family-held themed attractions company, with over 40 leading attractions and immersive experiences that reach audiences worldwide.
While each brand offers something unique, all are united by a shared purpose: Bringing Families Closer Together by Creating Memories Worth Repeating® . Our passionate hosts make this purpose possible through everyday acts of love and service—what we call Heartspitality®—the intersection of heart and hospitality.
As an equal-opportunity employer, we strive to provide environments where every host, guest, and partner feel welcome, valued, and loved. We firmly believe that words and actions matter, which is why all individuals are to be treated equally and with respect.
The Human Resources Intern is responsible for a variety of tasks that support the daily operations of the HR department.If you desire the professional opportunity to develop leadership skills, to help lead a team and do it in the most exciting place possible, this is a great opportunity! This position offers students the chance to spend their summer in a fun, demanding, and rewarding environment.
We are currently looking for a:
Roles & Responsibilities:
- Welcome team members and guests with a smile and positive attitude!
- Professionally and legally represent Adventureland to ensure continued compliance with all federal, state, and local employment laws
- Assist with the hiring of qualified job applicants for open positions; Duties may include, but are not limited to, applicant screening, interviews, onboarding, and conducting new hire orientations
- Lead and complete special projects to improve processes related to HR
- Identify opportunities for program improvement and assist with developing and implementing enhancements to HR processes
- Collaborate with leadership and the department heads open channels of communication between departments
- Prepare orientation packets for new Hosts
- Assist with processing HR paperwork, Host transactions, and terminations
- Handle employment-related inquiries from applicants, Hosts, and supervisors
- Assist with data entry into HRIS and Learning systems
- Review and track compliance with work permits for minors
- Assist Hosts with Workday navigation and password resets
- Assist with the coordination and execution of exciting team member events
- Assist with copying, filing and various other administrative duties
- Assist with timekeeping for assigned departments
J1 International Student Responsibilities:
For certain Palace locations, this position will assist HR leadership with day-to-day management of the summer international exchange program. Duties may include:
- Assist J1 International Students with questions, housing payments, paperwork processing, etc.
- Assist with new international student orientation sessions
- Welcome new arrivals and help get them checked in and moved into housing
- Help prepare beds in the student housing facility prior to move in
- Assist students with submitting Social Security paperwork
- Assist students with opening new bank accounts
- Transport J1 students to approved destinations, when needed
Education & Work Experience:
- Intern candidates must be currently enrolled in a higher education program, majoring in Human Resources, Business Management, Industrial Engineering or related field of study
Language: Ability to read, write, and speak fluent English; Spanish or other bilingual language skills are a plus.
Requirements:
- Must be at least 18 years of age to comply with Iowa Child Labor Laws
- Ability to work flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays
- Must have reliable transportation to and from work for your scheduled shift
- Must possess exceptional customer service skills, with an ability to resolve questions, problems, issues, and concerns in a positive and professional manner
- Ability to portray a positive, professional attitude
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and protect sensitive Host data
- Ability to communicate clearly, concisely and persuasively with a wide range of diverse personnel and guests
- Must be proficient in Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Word, and Power Point
- Knowledge of Google Sheets or Smart Sheet, a plus
- Ability to use office technology and equipment, such as PC, software, and copier
Physical Requirements:
- Ability to remain seated for extended periods of time, while using a computer
- Ability to stand or walk for long periods of time throughout the workday
- Ability to occasionally stoop, twist, kneel, bend, squat, or reach above shoulders
Working Conditions:
- This role will be primarily based in an office setting with some interaction with other outdoor park locations
- Some exposure to the variable outside temperatures, including high heat, cold, direct sun, humidity, dust, rain, snow, ice, and other weather conditions
- Subject to frequent interruptions, constant repetitive motion, high noise levels, flashing lights, and heavily populated environments
Team member benefits:
Team member benefits:
Working at Adventureland is about making people happy! It’s about being independent and having fun, making new friends and earning extra money while doing so. As a Adventureland Host, you can be the smiling face that makes a great first impression for incoming guests, a cook that serves up tasty treats and culinary delights, a lifeguard who soaks up the sun while keeping guests safe, or a ride operator that keeps guests coming back for more thrills! There are many exciting seasonal job opportunities available to take your summer job to new heights!
Adventureland Perks & Benefits:
- Flexible schedule
- Ability to cross-train and learn unique skills across various departments
- Free admission to Adventureland Theme Park/Waterpark and select parks on your days off
We’ve got great jobs for people just starting out in the workforce, looking for a second job or staying active after retirement. If you want a fun, flexible job with an innovative company, look no further than Adventureland. Apply today!
Do not miss the chance to spark your career now!
Do not miss the chance to spark your career now!
Human Resources Specialist Internship Market
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
- Food & Beverage
- Consulting & Professional Services
Tips for Your Human Resources Specialist Internship Search
Apply in the fall for summer internships
Large employers with structured HR internship cohorts open applications as early as September for the following summer. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to their start dates, so new openings appear year-round. Checking early and often means you don't miss the programs that recruit months before most candidates start looking.
Build a project portfolio before you apply
HR intern recruiters want something concrete to evaluate, not just coursework listed on a resume. Document two or three projects with the tools you used and the outcome you produced, whether that is a workforce-data analysis in Excel or Python, a recruiting process audit, or a compensation benchmarking exercise completed for a class.
Work your campus network and apply directly at the same time
Campus career fairs surface structured programs tied to your university, and career center staff often know which employers recruit from your school before roles post publicly. Applying directly to companies running smaller HR cohorts alongside your campus activity widens the pool you reach and catches openings that never come through a university partnership.
Practice the HR intern interview format before you apply
HR internship screens typically include behavioral questions tied to the competencies on the job description, such as communication, attention to detail, and handling confidential information, plus situational scenarios drawn from real HR cases. Practice answering out loud and explaining your reasoning, because interviewers weigh how you think through an ambiguous situation as much as the answer you land on.
Target structured HR rotational programs early
Large employers in finance, healthcare, and manufacturing run dedicated HR rotational internship programs that cycle interns across talent acquisition, HR business partnering, and total rewards functions. These programs recruit competitively, open applications months before smaller cohorts, and often run structured return-offer processes, so identify the ones that fit your goals and apply in the first wave.
Set your work-type filter before you start searching
On-site roles are 46% of the human resources specialist internships listed here. Decide what you can commit to before you begin sorting through listings, then filter by location and work type on Migrate Mate so you are only reviewing roles you can actually take.
Human Resources Specialist Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a human resources specialist internship?
Lead with coursework and projects rather than work history, since intern recruiters expect limited experience and want something concrete to evaluate. For HR candidates, that artifact is a documented case study, a completed HRIS or workforce-analytics project, or a policy brief from a class. Combine direct applications with campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can a human resources specialist internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. What actually drives it for HR interns is performance on real deliverables, team headcount at the end of the summer, and whether the employer runs a structured return-offer process. Position yourself by doing the work well and treating every project seriously, without counting on the offer.
When should I apply for human resources specialist internships?
Earlier than most candidates expect. Large employers, including Fortune 500 companies with structured HR internship cohorts, recruit for summer positions the preceding fall, sometimes as early as September or October. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to their actual start dates, so openings appear throughout the year and it pays to check regularly.
Are human resources specialist internships paid?
Most professional human resources specialist internships in the U.S. are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location, and some employers also offer housing stipends or relocation support for in-person cohorts. Where an employer discloses pay, the listing will show it, so you can compare offers as you apply.
What should a human resources specialist internship resume include?
Lead with two or three documented projects rather than work history: name the tools you used, the problem you solved, and where reviewers can see the output, whether that is a workforce-data analysis, a recruiting process audit, or an HR policy document completed for a class. Add relevant coursework in employment law, organizational behavior, or HR systems, and keep the whole resume to one page.
Are there remote human resources specialist internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 54% of the human resources specialist internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts tend to fill quickly because they attract applicants across the country, so apply early and filter by work type to see them before they close.
What is an HR rotational internship program?
Rotational HR internship programs place interns across two or three functional areas, such as talent acquisition, HR business partnering, and compensation or benefits, over a single summer. They target people new to the field and are designed to build broad exposure quickly. These programs recruit early, fill competitively, and typically run structured return-offer processes, so identify them and apply in the first recruiting wave.
Can international students get human resources specialist internships?
Yes. F-1 students can intern through CPT while enrolled or through OPT work authorization after finishing a degree, and the employer does not have to file anything for either, so many companies are open to international interns. Confirm your eligibility and timing with your university's international student office before accepting an offer.
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